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Matrix M-Stage HPA-3B Balanced Headphone Amp
01 / 07
Matrix M-Stage HPA-3B Balanced Headphone Amp
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26 Sold
Product Description
From Matrix’s highly regarded M-Stage series, the HPA-3B is a Class A balanced headphone amplifier that supports both single-ended and differential outputs, maximizing your headphones’ performance. It has two XLR inputs for a balanced input, and in case you don’t have a balanced DAC, it comes with two XLR-to-RCA adapters for a standard unbalanced input Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downslarock
1
Apr 14, 2020
Amazing amp with OPA1656, also has way more power for high impedance headphones than a 789. You can also use sensitive IEM's on it.
Shireman5
9
Sep 12, 2018
So, I was searching for a headphone amp for what seems like four years. With so much stuff coming out in the past decade the options have become near ludicrous. My needs were "fairly" simple: Neutral sound signature, class A circuit topology and the one aspect that kept me waiting so long, fully differential in and out, meaning a true balanced signal from input to my headphones. I heard about this little amp about two years ago and put off buying it until now.
The build of this amp is as solid as it is sturdy(oh my God I fear for that tiny gain switch) and well vented as this little thing could adequately heat a drink sitting on the top plate. The volume is not indicated well in low light, but using the volume knob itself feels like a quality volume pot, so smooth and linear. My DAC is also a recently purchased SMSL SU-8 which includes balanced outs and a dynamic range of 120 db with a respectable SNR of 116 db. I have only driven my headphones through the single ended output as I am saving again to buy balanced cables for each set I have: HD 600, HD800 and M1060. With the DAC and amp paired together via xlr cables, the overall noise floor is virtually undetectable. Dead silent. Not even the highly sensitive HD 800 can be heard over this pairing.
Here comes the honesty. Normally, I have driven my headphones out of my vintage receiver. The benefit of doing that was I had all the power to drive the M1060's with a built in graphic equalizer to help tame the treble on the HD 800's. My receiver also has a loudness control feature which basically amplifies the lowest and highest frequencies, to my ears, about 8-10 db. When this is off and the equalizer is leveled out the sound is dead neutral. Upon listening to my first set of tracks on the HPA-3B I noticed the amount of bass was on par with the receiver with the aforementioned features turned off. The bass is lean overall but present. The midrange, to me, sounds forward and at times a bit shouty but is smooth and resolving with the right music. Treble decay is airy and natural but more so when compared to my receiver. Class A topology allows for that extra bit of fidelity that class A/B(the receiver) just can't reach.
I use foobar2000 with an equalizer(when you own HD 800's or you're a nit picker in general it's a must) and so far I'd say the dac and amp sound great together. Until I get some balanced cables I can only enjoy single ended for now. I hope to add some updates in the future.
The build of this amp is as solid as it is sturdy(oh my God I fear for that tiny gain switch) and well vented as this little thing could adequately heat a drink sitting on the top plate. The volume is not indicated well in low light, but using the volume knob itself feels like a quality volume pot, so smooth and linear. My DAC is also a recently purchased SMSL SU-8 which includes balanced outs and a dynamic range of 120 db with a respectable SNR of 116 db. I have only driven my headphones through the single ended output as I am saving again to buy balanced cables for each set I have: HD 600, HD800 and M1060. With the DAC and amp paired together via xlr cables, the overall noise floor is virtually undetectable. Dead silent. Not even the highly sensitive HD 800 can be heard over this pairing.
Here comes the honesty. Normally, I have driven my headphones out of my vintage receiver. The benefit of doing that was I had all the power to drive the M1060's with a built in graphic equalizer to help tame the treble on the HD 800's. My receiver also has a loudness control feature which basically amplifies the lowest and highest frequencies, to my ears, about 8-10 db. When this is off and the equalizer is leveled out the sound is dead neutral. Upon listening to my first set of tracks on the HPA-3B I noticed the amount of bass was on par with the receiver with the aforementioned features turned off. The bass is lean overall but present. The midrange, to me, sounds forward and at times a bit shouty but is smooth and resolving with the right music. Treble decay is airy and natural but more so when compared to my receiver. Class A topology allows for that extra bit of fidelity that class A/B(the receiver) just can't reach.
I use foobar2000 with an equalizer(when you own HD 800's or you're a nit picker in general it's a must) and so far I'd say the dac and amp sound great together. Until I get some balanced cables I can only enjoy single ended for now. I hope to add some updates in the future.
DareToBe
214
Aug 14, 2018
This looks nice, but the specs are quite behind the THX 789. Any other reasons to choose it?
rslatara
287
May 4, 2020
DareToBeTwice the power @ 300/600 ohm. I upgraded the opamp to an opa1656 and truth be told I listen to it more than my 789. It just has a less metallic or less cold sound and as some would say a class-A sweetness.
Onslash
166
Jul 27, 2018
How does this compare to Liquid carbon x ? the internals on the matrix looks much more convincing...
rslatara
287
May 4, 2020
OnslashLate answer but superior amp over the LCX. The LCX is good once a balanced DAC is feeding it.
Esten
7
Jul 19, 2018
Can anyone tell me how this amp compares to the Aeun X7S which I ordered and then realized doesn’t have balanced inputs but is otherwise balanced, ie should I sell the Auen and join this drop?
badheinz1985
34
Jul 14, 2018
I have no intentions to join this drop since I bought it directly from Matrix (did not want to wait for the drop).
It's a nice amp providing plenty of power.
How powerful it is? Well... at the moment I'm sitting down with my Fostex T60-RP (absolutely awesome headphones, by the way) on my head with a balanced cable plugged into the amp, and the volume nob is at 10 o'clock, on lowest gain setting (yes lowest gain setting of the available three), and the music is quite loud.
Some notes on build quality: 1. Volume knob could definitely improve to be more indicative. 2. Blue led indicating the power is on (I'm not pointing fingers at anyone, but I know some people out there are very picky about LED indicator colors). 3. Gain switch on the back is too tiny in my opinion. It feels like you could break it. 4. Power switch in the back as well (as you all can see). 5. Class A - gets hot as hell!
Sound: I have no issues with the sound at all. I guess I'm not very picky. Probably more "serious" audiophiles with better ears can share more useful opinions here.
Here is a pic of my setup for you...
Some notes on build quality: 1. Volume knob could definitely improve to be more indicative. 2. Blue led indicating the power is on (I'm not pointing fingers at anyone, but I know some people out there are very picky about LED indicator colors). 3. Gain switch on the back is too tiny in my opinion. It feels like you could break it. 4. Power switch in the back as well (as you all can see). 5. Class A - gets hot as hell!
Sound: I have no issues with the sound at all. I guess I'm not very picky. Probably more "serious" audiophiles with better ears can share more useful opinions here.
Here is a pic of my setup for you...
AltCtrl
1
Oct 29, 2017
I have the old Matrix-M-Stage 2010 v.2 -- is it worth upgrading to this? My sound card is the Asus Essence STX. My headphones are: Beyer 1990 Pro, Beyer DT880 and soon to come HD6XX and Hifiman 4XX. How do I run these in balanced mode, is it a big difference? What are some other good solid state amp choices for these headphones? Thanks!
lugnut
103
Jul 17, 2018
I own this amp and it is great amp. I also agree with everything you wrote. I like much better than the Jot. Its a shame this amp does not get more attention. I guess it boils down to the Chifi thing.
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